Message from the Assistant Headmaster, 4/21/17

Winding Down

After nearly two decades as an educator, I am still amazed by how quickly each academic year goes by. For our Seniors, the next few weeks bring to a close what, for most of them, has been a six-year journey from their first orientation as rising Form I students in the spring of 2011 to their commencement exercises on May 28, 2017. As with each graduating class that has gone before them, they have shared countless experiences in and out of the classroom that have played a role in shaping and defining who they have become, both as individuals and as a group. Just this week they gathered as a community to make their Senior retreat and today are leading the school in their final Field Day celebration. They will responsibly enjoy themselves at Prom on April 29 and then attend to the successful completion of their AP examinations in early May. With the college admissions process behind them and only one official week of classes remaining, these young men have accomplished so much in their time at Priory. I am confident they will continue to set a positive example to the remaining 340 students who must commit themselves to one more month of study, and I look forward to officially acknowledging the dedication and collective success of the Class of 2017 at graduation!

For all of our students, the end of the spring trimester remains just as active as the rest of the year. I want to extend personal congratulations to our tennis team for placing 1st in this year’s Metro League tournament. Recent accolades at both the TEAM+S competition and the Wednesday Club of Saint Louis poetry contest attest to the strength of our students’ interest and preparation in the areas of science, mathematics and design, AND the humanities. And our Scholar Bowl team and developing entrepreneurs continue to prepare for the next level in their respective upcoming regional and sectional competitions. I want to thank of all our faculty, moderators, and coaches for their ongoing commitment to working with our young men in each of these areas. These particular successes are only fully realized as a result of the dedication of both our students and our faculty to ensure a community of Benedictine, Catholic, college preparatory education of the highest excellence. We all continue to celebrate the formation of talented and motivated young men who are developing their full potential as children of God.